Many things have been said and written about Senator Bong
Revilla Jr. and Congresswoman Lani Mercado. Unknown to the public, there are big and small facts on the couple that only a few have been aware of. Most of which would point out how their innate characters brazenly differ from many of their peers, not only in the entertainment world but also in the political arena
Luckily, this writer is among them being a long time friend and for a time, a staff of their political PR office… The reason why the hidden side of Bong and Lani came to the fore.
For one, both have valued friendship and loyalty to the hilt. A glaring example happened when one of their publicists the late Jojo Lapus {when Bong ran for governor and Lani for Bacoor, Cavite mayor) who was sick then felt neglected by Bong. Jojo candidly admitted it to me. With his permission to write about his gripes. Right after my item came out. A few days later, Jojo called me up to express his thanks. He recounted that the couple dropped by his place. He was touched by their humility and concern to him that very moment. “Sila pa ang humingi ng dispensa sa akin. Though on second thought I was somewhat childish in my actuations against them. I realized how sincere and
thoughtful they are as friends, Nagkamali ako pati ikaw ay nadamay tuloy.” Jojo.Much more so my admiration for the couple engulfed me upon learning that in Jojo’s demise, they shouldered the funeral expenses and visibly condoled with his family
all throughout the wake.
Having been attached to the tandem for decades, another under wraps character of Bong and Lani wobbles on their retentive memory. In retrospect, before Bong crashed showbiz, he studied in U.S. One time his dad Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr. included me in a handful of movie press whom he invited for the welcome bash for Bong who was about 16 that time. Ramon Sr. intimated that Bong would crash the local tinsel town.
On the Meet the Press party, all the scribes where amused with what Bong revealed on his US escapades and the crushes he had on a number of young teen actresses.
A scant of years after, Bong was already a big name. We chanced upon again at a photo studio. Surprisingly, he hugged me, saying to his company, “This is kuya Nap. Di ko
makakalimutan dahil isa siya sa unang nagsulat ng article tungkol sa akin..”
The same holds true for Lani. Our initial meeting occurred inside Regal Films office where she was a budding actress. Since that brief interview, we bumped into each other years later at the Imus, Cavite fiesta. She’s married to Bong and with kids. Lani rode on a float which passed by brother’s digs. She flabbergasted me as she waved seeing me in the porch of the house, shouting, “uy, bakit nadiyan ka? Bago ka umuwi, daan ka sa bahay..”
Rightfully so, our renewed friendship tapped us anew. With glee, she grinned to hear from me, “pareho lang kayo ni Bong. Retentive ang inyong memory. That’s a virtual asset. Truthfully, what’s more amazing about Bong and Lani falls on the factual character they exude, uncommon to the denizens and the political figures. Specifically.. the two have no penchant for vindictiveness, out of their forgiving nature. If anything, this
brought to mind the incident which involved two of the couple’s closest writer-chums.
For an unexplained rift with Bong and Lani, the duo broke of their ties with them. Adding harm to injury, the said writers openly campaigned for Bong’s opponent in Cavite, mouthing unpleasant things on the couple during political rallies. Bong and Lani took it in stride, not harboring ill-feelings. Truth to tell, after Bong won in the election. He made the move to win them back to his fold. He settled their differences sans any motive of hidden agenda. To make it bluntly, they reconciled with the couple. To this date, the camaraderie between the two camps has remained intact, showing to full advantage the innate good nature of Bong and Lani.
My own unforgettable hassles with Bong and Lani could speak well the above mentioned. That was the day which ushered in the grandiose celebration of Bong’s birthday a year ago. Together with some colleagues who were personally invited by Bong, we went to the venue. We felt embarrassed that the usherette led us to another room, not the main one where prominent guests were received. Some of us did a walkout though Lani warmly greeted us on the entrance hall.
Impulsively, I wrote how discrimination existed in Bong’s birthday which caught the ire of his head publicist. Bong though acted otherwise, apologetic in his explanation. That eve n his personal chums were not able to enter due to the over crowded venue he himself had not anticipated.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you. That was beyond my control. Honestly, I didn’t take the item against you. Naintindihan ko ang naramdaman mo.” Bong declared emphatically. In Lani’s case, she called me up to appease my hurt feelings. Who would ever opine that at their stature, rather than displaying arrogance, both showcase not a tint of swell-headedness and a vengeful conduct.
Summing up the secret winning ways of Bong and Lani, to reach the higher pedestal in the entertainment world and politics will definitely not elude them. Look, his starrer at the film fest Si Agimat at si Enteng has broken all existing records. As a Senator, his accomplishments have been given high marks by his critics no less.
About Lani, she has been a revelation in the Congress as evident by the positive words on her dedication and hard works to be at par with the topnotch representatives of the country. If only Lani spends ample time in showbiz, she would emerge one of the most sought in the boob tube and the movies.
DON’T LOOK NOW BUT…
SHAINA’S DAD NOT IN FAVOR OF JOHN LLOYD?.
It’s nice to hear that the relationships of John Lloyd Cruz and Shaina Magdayao get stronger and smoother than before. Hopefully, by this time Lloydie has already won the blessing of her dad. We remember that when we were still in the
Philippines, a confidante of Shaina’s dad confided to us he was not in favor of Lloydie. Mr. Magdayao preferred his daughter’s ex.-bf John Prats.
“Kasi tingin niya ay silent playboy si Lloydie at di nito gusto ang bad habit which he didn’t elaborate.” Our source intimated.
Let’s say there’s truth to it. However, with the way Lloydie protects and showers Shaina with love of late, maybe he has already accepted the actor
CHARICE AND OGIE NOW ON GOOD TERMS
In a recent tete-a-tete with Ogie Diaz., told us all’s well between him and Charice. The latter’s diehards simply aggravated their supposed differences. Honestly, constructive criticisms shouldn’t be taken out of proportion by Charice and her mom. They need a flashback of what happened to Josephine ‘Banig’ Roberto. Years ago. Banig won the top American TV talent show, with Cristina Aguillera only second to her. Banig was on the verge of world fame when her American manager dropped her like a hot potato. Allegedly, the manager couldn’t stand the meddlesome nature of Banig’s parent. Look, she lost the chance of stardom abroad.
Charice and her mom should take a cue of the above mentioned, don’t you think so? Much more so that Charice seems a step away from superstardom in U.S.